The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats tell the story of a defensive masterclass at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots dominated 16 to 3 in an AFC Wild Card Round clash on January 11, 2026. Drake Maye finished with 268 passing yards and a touchdown despite two turnovers, while Rhamondre Stevenson tallied 128 total yards to power New England’s offense.
Table of contents
- Final Score and Game Overview
- Quarterback Performance Stats
- Running Back Statistics
- Receiving Leaders
- Defensive Standouts
- Team Statistics Comparison
- Special Teams and Kicking
- Key Plays That Decided the Game
- Historical Context and Playoff Implications
- Coaching Decisions and Game Plan
- Weather and Game Conditions
- Looking Ahead
Final Score and Game Overview
Patriots 16, Chargers 3
New England’s defense put on a clinic in Foxborough, holding Justin Herbert and the Chargers to just 207 total yards while recording six sacks. The Patriots advanced to the divisional round for the 22nd time in franchise history, ending a playoff drought that stretched back to their Super Bowl victory following the 2018 season.
The victory marked Mike Vrabel’s first playoff win as Patriots head coach and sent the Chargers home with another disappointing postseason exit. Herbert fell to 0 and 3 in his playoff career, unable to generate any offensive rhythm against a New England defense that had linebacker Robert Spillane, defensive tackle Milton Williams, and outside linebacker Harold Landry III all healthy for the first time since early November.
Quarterback Performance Stats
Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 17/29 |
| Passing Yards | 268 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Fumbles Lost | 1 |
| Rushing Yards | 66 |
| Rushing Attempts | 10 |
| Passer Rating | 85.2 |
The second-year quarterback struggled early, completing just 6 of 15 passes in the first half for a 40 percent completion rate, his worst of the season. His first turnover came when Teair Tart tipped a pass intended for Austin Hooper, allowing Daiyan Henley to intercept at the New England 10-yard line.
But Maye bounced back strong in the second half, going 11 of 14 for 173 yards and the game’s only touchdown. He became the youngest player in NFL history with at least 250 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in a playoff victory.
“We made plays when we had to do it,” Maye said after the game.
His 37-yard scramble late in the second quarter set up a field goal before halftime and stands as the longest run by a Patriots quarterback in postseason history. The play showcased Maye’s elite mobility when the Chargers dropped into quarters coverage and left the middle of the field open.
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 19/31 |
| Passing Yards | 159 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Times Sacked | 6 |
| Fumbles Lost | 1 |
| Rushing Yards | 57 |
| Rushing Attempts | 9 |
| Passer Rating | 74.5 |
Herbert endured a brutal night behind a depleted offensive line missing tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. The Patriots pressured him on 36.4 percent of dropbacks, with edge rushers consistently winning their matchups.
His lone fumble came on a strip sack by K’Lavon Chaisson in the fourth quarter, essentially ending any comeback hopes for Los Angeles. Herbert was just over a month removed from surgery to repair a broken bone in his non-throwing hand.
“There was no issue,” Herbert said about his hand. “I just have to do a better job holding onto the ball.”
Jim Harbaugh acknowledged postgame that his quarterback wasn’t fully healthy. “He’s a warrior. He just gives it everything he has, all the time,” Harbaugh said.
Running Back Statistics
Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Attempts | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 53 |
| Yards Per Carry | 5.3 |
| Receptions | 3 |
| Receiving Yards | 75 |
| Total Scrimmage Yards | 128 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
Stevenson made his presence felt early with a game-changing 48-yard catch and run that helped New England escape from deep in their own territory. The play came after Maye hit him with a short dumpoff pass, and Stevenson burst upfield all the way to midfield.
He became the first Patriots player to record at least 125 scrimmage yards in a playoff game since Julian Edelman’s 149-yard performance in Super Bowl LIII. Stevenson is only the second Patriots running back to haul in a 40-plus yard reception in playoff history, joining Rex Burkhead’s 46-yarder in Super Bowl LII.
Kimani Vidal (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Attempts | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 25 |
| Yards Per Carry | 2.5 |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Receiving Yards | 17 |
| Total Scrimmage Yards | 42 |
The Chargers running game never got rolling. Omarion Hampton played just two snaps after dealing with an ankle injury, leaving Vidal to shoulder the entire load on 55 of Los Angeles’ 59 offensive plays. The Patriots stacked the box and dared Herbert to beat them through the air.
Receiving Leaders
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 3 |
| Receiving Yards | 64 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Longest Reception | 28 |
| Targets | 5 |
Henry delivered the knockout blow with a perfectly executed 28-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Maye lofted a ball into the corner of the end zone that only his tight end could grab, putting New England ahead 16 to 3.
The touchdown capped a crucial scoring drive where Henry also hauled in a 19-yard reception on third and 13 to keep the chains moving.
Kayshon Boutte (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 4 |
| Receiving Yards | 66 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest Reception | 42 |
| Targets | 4 |
Boutte stepped up when defenses focused on doubling Stefon Diggs. His 42-yard grab down the sideline in the third quarter set up a field goal that extended the Patriots’ lead to 9 to 3.
Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 5 |
| Receiving Yards | 48 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest Reception | 20 |
McConkey led the Chargers in receiving but couldn’t provide the explosive plays needed to overcome the Patriots defense. His 20-yard catch was the longest play of the game for Los Angeles.
Defensive Standouts
Milton Williams (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 4 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Tackles for Loss | 2 |
Williams dominated in his second game back from a five-week ankle injury absence. His final sack on fourth down in the closing minutes sealed the victory and earned him a celebratory headbutt with coach Vrabel that left the first-year coach with a bloody lip.
“The big dogs come out in January. I think Milt took that to heart,” Vrabel said. “He came over and got me pretty good. But that’s what happens.”
K’Lavon Chaisson (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 3 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 1 |
Chaisson’s strip sack of Herbert in the fourth quarter effectively ended the game. The forced fumble came with the Chargers desperately trying to mount a comeback down 16 to 3.
Odafe Oweh (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 4 |
| Sacks | 3 |
| Tackles for Loss | 3 |
| Forced Fumbles | 2 |
Oweh set playoff career highs across the board after being acquired in a trade from Baltimore earlier in the season. His three sacks tied for the second-highest single-game total in Chargers playoff history, and his strip sack of Maye in the third quarter gave Los Angeles excellent field position that they couldn’t capitalize on.
Daiyan Henley (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 13 |
| Solo Tackles | 9 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
Henley led all defenders with 13 tackles and grabbed the only interception of the game. His pick in the second quarter gave the Chargers first and goal from the 10, but the Patriots defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Chargers | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 207 | 381 |
| First Downs | 17 | 19 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 1/10 | 4/11 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1/3 | 1/1 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 0/2 | 0/3 |
| Time of Possession | 27:45 | 32:15 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks Allowed | 5 | 6 |
| Penalties | 4-20 | 2-35 |
The disparity in total yardage told the story. New England controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, generating nearly twice as many yards as the Chargers while dominating time of possession.
Los Angeles converted just one of 10 third down attempts, a death sentence in playoff football. The Chargers went 0 for 2 in the red zone, failing to find the end zone despite excellent field position following turnovers.
Special Teams and Kicking
Andy Borregales (New England Patriots)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 3 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 3 |
| Longest Field Goal | 39 |
| Extra Points Made | 1 |
| Extra Points Attempted | 1 |
Borregales converted kicks from 23, 39, and 39 yards to provide all of New England’s points before the fourth quarter touchdown. The rookie kicker handled the playoff pressure with poise.
Cameron Dicker (Los Angeles Chargers)
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 1 |
| Field Goals Attempted | 1 |
| Longest Field Goal | 21 |
| Extra Points Made | 0 |
| Extra Points Attempted | 0 |
Dicker’s lone field goal from 21 yards represented the Chargers’ only points of the night. The kick came after a promising 11-play, 69-yard drive stalled in the red zone.
Key Plays That Decided the Game
Stevenson’s 48-Yard Catch and Run (First Quarter)
With New England backed up at their own 2-yard line following a Chargers punt, Maye hit Stevenson with a checkdown that turned into a game-changing gain. The play gave the Patriots breathing room and sparked their first scoring drive.
Goal Line Stand (First Quarter)
After Henley’s interception gave Los Angeles first and goal from the 10, the Patriots defense made a critical stand. Herbert misfired on fourth and 2 to Keenan Allen, keeping the game scoreless and setting the tone defensively.
Maye’s 37-Yard Scramble (Second Quarter)
With time running out in the first half, Maye saw the Chargers drop into quarters coverage and took off through a massive hole in the middle. The run set up a field goal that gave New England a 6 to 3 halftime lead.
Oweh’s Strip Sack (Third Quarter)
Maye was driving the Patriots into the red zone when Oweh got home for a strip sack recovered by De’Shawn Hand. The turnover gave the Chargers excellent field position but they couldn’t convert.
Maye to Henry Touchdown (Fourth Quarter)
Trailing 9 to 3, the Patriots needed a touchdown. Maye delivered with a perfectly placed 28-yard strike to Henry in the back corner of the end zone, essentially putting the game away at 16 to 3.
Chaisson’s Strip Sack (Fourth Quarter)
Any hopes of a Chargers comeback ended when Chaisson stripped Herbert and recovered the fumble. The Patriots ran out the clock from there.
Historical Context and Playoff Implications
The Patriots improved to 4 and 1 all-time against the Chargers in playoff matchups. This marked New England’s first postseason victory since Super Bowl LIII following the 2018 season, ending a seven-year drought.
For the Chargers, the loss represented their second straight wild card round exit. The last time Los Angeles failed to score a touchdown in the playoffs was their 21 to 12 AFC Championship game loss to the Patriots during the 2007 season.
Herbert’s playoff struggles continued to mount. In three career postseason games, he’s now completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 674 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions while taking 13 sacks. His passer rating sits at a dismal 64.7 in the playoffs.
The Patriots held an opponent to three or fewer points in the playoffs for the sixth time in franchise history. Their six sacks tied for the second-highest postseason total, matching their performance against Jacksonville in 2006.
According to CBS Sports, the defensive dominance continued a trend from the 2007 season when these teams last met in the playoffs.
New England’s turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel continued its remarkable trajectory. The Patriots finished the regular season 14 and 3 and captured the AFC East crown after going just 4 and 13 the previous year.
Coaching Decisions and Game Plan
Mike Vrabel’s conservative approach paid dividends. Rather than aggressively pursuing touchdowns, he took the points when available, settling for field goals on multiple red zone trips. The strategy kept the Patriots ahead throughout and never allowed the Chargers to establish momentum.
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, thrust into the play-calling role due to health issues for DC Terrell Williams, dialed up an aggressive game plan that confused Herbert all night. The Patriots mixed coverages and blitzed at opportune times, generating pressure on 36.4 percent of dropbacks.
“Chargers players gave the Patriots kudos for their game plan,” Patriots captain Robert Spillane revealed postgame.
For Los Angeles, Jim Harbaugh’s offense couldn’t overcome the injuries along the offensive line. The Chargers handed the ball off just 12 times all game despite the contest remaining close until the fourth quarter, a curious decision given Herbert’s struggles.
According to ESPN, New England took advantage of having three key defensive players healthy together for the first time since November.
Weather and Game Conditions
The temperature at kickoff was 38 degrees Fahrenheit at Gillette Stadium with light wind. The conditions favored defense and contributed to the low-scoring affair, though both quarterbacks dealt with more than just the elements.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots advanced to face either the Houston Texans or Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. New England’s defense will need another strong performance to continue their playoff run.
For the Chargers, the offseason begins with questions about the offensive line and Herbert’s ability to win in January. With a healthier roster in 2026, expectations will be high for Harbaugh’s third season.
The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats revealed a team completely outplayed on both sides of the ball, as New England’s defense suffocated one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks.
According to NFL.com, the Chargers have now scored just 18 points in their last 10 playoff quarters, a troubling trend for a franchise desperate for postseason success.
The Patriots proved they’re more than just Drake Maye and a high-powered offense. When the second-year quarterback struggled early, the defense stepped up to carry the load, a blueprint that could take them deep into January.
